Our Ref: 8929  

Dear Enquirer,

INFORMATION REQUEST

Thank you for your request for information which will be dealt with under
the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

In some circumstances a fee may be payable and if that is the case, we
will let you know the likely charges before proceeding.

If you have any queries about this matter please contact us. Please
remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

Please note, that due to the recent outbreak of Covid-19, there may be a
delay in responding to your request. We appreciate your patience at this
busy period.

Kind regards

Information Governance Office
Northumberland County Council
County Hall
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 2EF

Tel: 0345 600 6400
Email: [Northumberland County Council request email]
Web: http://www.northumberland.gov.uk

Our Ref: 8929   

Dear Enquirer,

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST

I refer to your Freedom of Information request in relation to Stonewall. 

This request is being handled under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

I am writing to ask you to clarify your request. This is because we need
further details from you in order to identify and locate the information.

Therefore I should be grateful if you would could clarify if your request
was intended for Northumberland County Council. In your request you refer
to Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council (GMBC) and we were unsure if
this was sent to Northumberland in error. 

If you need assistance with this, please contact me by email as
follows [Northumberland County Council request email].

If we do not receive your clarification within 3 calendar months from
today we will close your request. If after the 3 month period you then
provide clarification, your request will be logged as a new request.

Yours faithfully

FOI Co-ordinator - Human Resources
Information Governance Office
Northumberland County Council
County Hall
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 2EF

Tel: 0345 600 6400
Email: [Northumberland County Council request email]
Web: http://www.northumberland.gov.uk

Our Ref: 8929   

Dear Enquirer,

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST

I refer to your Freedom of Information request in relation to
communications between Stonewall and Northumberland County Council as well
the authorities involvement in Stonewall's Diversity Champion Scheme. 

Right of Access

Section 1(1) of the Act provides any person making a request for
information to a public authority is entitled.

(a) to be informed in writing by the public authority whether it holds
information of the description specified in the request (which Section
1(6) of the Act designates as the "duty to confirm or deny"), and

(b) if that is the case, to have that information communicated to him.

The right is to obtain access to the information itself and not to the
document or record which contains it.

The Act creates a general right of access to information held by public
authorities subject to various exemptions.

Northumberland County Council confirms that it holds the information you
have requested, please see the following information in response:
1. Any communications involving NCC as a whole or any individual
departments/services with Stonewall
As a member of the Stonewall Diversity Champion programme, we receive
regular newsletters, updates on developments, guidance and information on
how to access resources on the Stonewall site.   Correspondence of this
nature is widely distributed to programme members and is not necessarily
specific to the Council.  Council specific communication is confidential
in nature, and such information is refused under FOIA section 41.
2. Whether there is or has been any involvement with Stonewall's
'Diversity Champions' scheme and if so which with which
departments/services.
Yes.  Northumberland County Council is a member of the Stonewall Diversity
Champion Programme and is included in the Workplace Equality Index.  The
Council is also a member of the Children and Young People's Services
Champions Programme
Complaints

If you are unhappy with the way your request for information has been
handled, you can request an internal review by writing within 2 months
from the date of this response to the Information Governance Office:

Information Governance Office
Northumberland County Council
County Hall
Morpeth
NE61 2EF

Email: [Northumberland County Council request email]

Information Commissioner

If you remain dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have a
right by Section 50 of the Act to apply to the Information Commissioner
for a decision as to whether your request has been dealt with in
accordance with the requirements of the Act at:

The Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Tel: 0303 123 1113
Email: [email address]

There is no charge for making an appeal.

Yours faithfully

FOI Coordinator - Human Resources
Information Governance Office
Northumberland County Council
County Hall
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 2EF

Tel: 0345 600 6400
Email: [Northumberland County Council request email]
Web: http://www.northumberland.gov.uk